The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-05-19
Tho Duty Of Renubllca ns.

u pull C questions in Virginia have ad
Fancca lie mi diligence Of the people. ard
elevated tAeii IDEAS OF individual duty. In
svoiy community, in every neighborhood,
and we might say in almost every family,
there is one or u re persons familiar Wi b
current events and current issues. These
persoEs make it past-time to meet with
their neighbors and talk over matters of
public concern, compare opinions, dis
cuss differences and formulate conclusions.
It is one Of the most effective means
Of enlarging popular intelligence and
forming proper conceptions Of public duty.
There is, from this cause. growing IN
dependence, an intenser individuality,
keener sense Of responsibility obtaining
among the masses. They begin to under
stand and recognize the fact that they are
a part of the government that they have
RIGHTS to be respected and obligations to
discharge, which they cannot transfer 10
others. They feel that they must meas
ure up to tie standard of true, manly GU
iznnship or be counted as the lackeys and |
retaipers of bosses and the supple lnstra-
ments of demagogues to accomplish
selfish, unworthy purposes. 1t is TINS grow
inc independence of the citizen, this high
or appreciation of individual right that IS
investing the ballot with increasing
dignity and clothing it with power that
political schemers and plotters can no
longer, with impunity, tnile WIN. IL
gives promise, too, of more exalted IDEAL
OF government, cleaner methods IN elec-
lions. and the selection of men to dis
charge public trusts who will consider the
| interests of the people paramount TO the
hehests of the mere trading politicians,
who seek position to promote selfish ends.
1t is the influence growing out OF TINS
more healthy public sentiment, that is
generating the independent voter, and rob-
hing the machine of it's terrors. 1T is an
ever growing sentiment permeatlng the
moral being of the citizen and impressing
him with the sanctity of the privilege
he exercises when depositing his bollot. 1t
is A sentiment and an influence which have
10 lie needed and respected. 1t regards
not traditions, customs or methods
which have q lower object than the gen.
eral welfare. 1t is an essential principle
that lies ut the foundation of our political
system. if not of our social structure. with
ont which neither government nor society
can reach the Statutory ends Tor which they
we're instituted. 1t is the antipodes OF
noljtical dieker traverses the merceDaFy,
Of no
Dalgettys and inyokes the best tboaght
and the higher aims of tue voter WHO ap-
nreciates The dignity and responsibility OF
American citizenship.
1t is this improved aud healthier pubic
sentiment that has to be addressed III flu
tlire elections in Virginia. The elimi
nation of the race issue from our politi
: cal contest imposes the necessity of reach
ing the reason and judgment, instead OF
:, stirring the passions Of tine people, and IL
; the degree that tae voters approach
proper estimate OF the grave obligations
which rest upon them. viii the issues
presented for consideration he the more
! nationally and instractively discussed, anl
. the men seeking public favor inore lnl-
partially Judged. The idea must ar once
and forever be dismissed from the public
/, mind, that parties belong to assumed lead
:, ers. or that the pretended claims of an.
one is paramount to the public good, TIN
:. attainment of which is, or shonld be, TIN
primary bject of party organizations Ih
- nearer parties approach to high STANDARD
~ of public morality, to just appreciation
- of the rights of the people and the demand
II of coed government, the more nearly VII
= they accord with the aroused conscious
W ness of the intelligent voters who are now
', coming to the front to assert their right
y fnl authority and contest the lnsolen
j. pretensions and questionable methods o
@ The bosses and schemers, who have in tn
{ rast dominated political forces in VIII
!. GINA and prostituted political organza
lions and 81 se If fhs nfSf aa Of
s While the foregoing is applicable to bot
+. political parties in Virginia, we addres
,e more particularly the Republican part
If and the voters who accept and adopt il
1t principles. The policies and measures
it maintains are directly related to the we
v fare of the people, and if fairly presente
f ard dispassionately discussed, cannot fai
IS iii IA general election, to receive popular az
ID probation. That party cannot afford t
70 enter another canvass handicapped by tn
r. assumed claims of any man, or on lowe
j. plane than that which will appeal to TIL
le honest convictions and patriotic aims c
8 the constituent body. To do so would il
yite nothing but disaster and turn the viz
tory which should be ours into humiliatin
s defeat When a party has to depend upo
" any one man, or cabal, for its success
a it falls short of the object for which pa
T. ties are formed and degenerates into o.
p gained seifishness which will and shout
ne II ceiye the indignant rtbuke OF the people
ne The days of b ssism. i'll Virginia are pas
p The Vaccinations and plots Of unscrupt
~ ions leaders to prostitute political organ
5 zation to selfish ends have lost their insid
t, o,,s Influence Dicker and bargain to er
'h compass personal results can no longer e.
y. cape exposure by courageous men. lndee
N Tie leaders and trimmers who resort
IN them are morally unfit to represent an Oh
lie gAsizaticn of principles and are incapabl
"a nf approaching the Influences which Civ
&c to parties the confidence of the people,
O. Ii is this low gnage of political moralit
&c hat is invoking dissenslons, protests an
e. open revolts all over the State,in both par
m ties 1T is especially manifest in the Re
al publican party, and will increase in vic
IS ence and force. until absolute disruptio
III will be tie result, unless the bosses al
o. sA9rn Of their Fictitious power and the pee
a ole are consulted and their rightful author
D. ity recognized.
le The people must put On Their srmor an
'o prepare to do battle against the bosses t
I" assert their rights, and demand that part
- contests shall be conducted with refer
Il erence to principles and policies. as the
. relate t0State and Nation, and not to en-
To compass The objects of plotting Politician
y who care for nothing but place and the op
'o portunity it offers to play the petty tyran
i upon those who haye been deluded init
u tneir support, and afterwards kicked adrif
i III SO much useless rubbish. 1t is abso